62 BIEDS. 



Our species, though well marked, are often difficult to 

 determine when not in full plumage. The tail feathers 

 are always marked with white or yellow, and the bill is 

 but moderately pointed, notched and with evident 

 bristles at the rictus. 



The following artificial analysis, partially borrowed 

 from Coues key to the genus, will generally enable the 

 student to distinguish specimens. 



* Tail feathers edged with yellow ; plumage chiefly yellow. 



cestiva, 1. 

 ** Tail feathers blotched with white. 



f A white blotch on the primaries near their bases ; no wing 



bars . . cwrulescens, 2. 



ff No white blotch on primaries ; wing bars, if present, not white. 



White below; crown and wing patch more or less yellow. 



pennsylvanica, 6. 

 Yellow below ; sides reddish-streaked ; crown reddish. 



palmarum, 15. 

 Yellow below, sides black-streaked. 



Back olive with reddish spots. . . . discolor, 12. 



Back ashy . kirtlandi, 11. 



fff No white blotch on primaries ; wing bars or wing patch 



white. 

 \ Rump yellow: crown clear ash; yellow and streaked 



below maculosa, 4. 



Crown with yellow spot ; white and 

 streaked below. . coronata, 3. 



ft Rump not yellow. 



Crown with orange or yellow spot ; throat orange or yellow. 



blackburnice, 9. 



Crown black ; no distinct yellow any where : much streaked. 

 . striata, 8. 



Crown blue or greenish, like the back; no definite yellow. 



ccerulea, 5. 



Crown chestnut, like the throat; no definite yellow; bufTy 

 below . . castanea, 7. 



